Tag Archives: Young Adult

What I read in January

Posted in Book Related Misc., Reviews by

At the beginning of January, I set myself a goal to read 4 books this month. I know, not a lot compared to all y’all hard-core readers out there but I vowed I wouldn’t set myself any unrealistic and unreachable goals this year. So far, I haven’t. I completed my 4 books goal – actually exceeded it! I have reviewed all of them in full but I wanted to do a little round-up today so I can keep track and look back and be like yassssss, slayed it. You know what I mean. I’m also thrilled to look at this post and see lots of different types of books and genres. I’ve certainly not just stuck to my favourite genres this month and by doing so, have found some really wonderful books. So anyway, on with the post!

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BOOK REVIEW: How to Disappear by Sharon Huss Roat

Posted in Reviews, Young Adult by

Format: Hardback, giveaway prize
Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Goodreads
Blurb: Vicky Decker has perfected the art of hiding in plain sight, quietly navigating the halls of her high school undetected except by her best (and only) friend, Jenna. But when Jenna moves away, Vicky’s isolation becomes unbearable.

So she decides to invent a social life by Photoshopping herself into other people’s pictures, posting them on Instagram under the screen name Vicurious. Instantly, she begins to get followers, so she adds herself to more photos from all over the world with all types of people. And as Vicurious’s online followers multiply, Vicky realizes she can make a whole life for herself without ever leaving her bedroom. But the more followers she finds online, the clearer it becomes that there are a lot of people out there who feel like her— #alone and #ignored in real life.

To help them, and herself, Vicky must find the courage to face her fear of being “seen,” because only then can she stop living vicariously and truly bring the magic of Vicurious to life.

In this beautiful and illuminating narrative, Sharon Huss Roat shines a light on our love of social media and how sometimes being the person you think you want to be isn’t as great as being the person you truly are. Continue reading →

My favourite books of 2017

Posted in Book Related Misc., Reviews by

If there’s one thing that never let me down this year, it was books. I’m not a fast reader and I don’t read as many books in a month / year as most other book bloggers I know but 2017 has been such a strong book year for me. Of course there’s been a couple that haven’t particularly taken my fancy – you can’t enjoy everything – but I’ve read some stellar books this year so narrowing it down to 10 favourites was really difficult. And… for the first time ever, I’m actually putting them in order. I’ve never done this because it just seems too stressful haha! Ready? Let’s see who made the top 10 steps of 2017! (Not all of these were published in 2017)

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BOOK REVIEW: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Posted in Reviews, Young Adult by

Format: Hardback – purchased
Links: Amazon UK | Goodreads
Blurb: Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.

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GUEST POST: Should we give authors 1 star reviews? by M.L Sparrow

Posted in Book Related Misc., Reviews by

Today I have a really interesting a food for thought guest post all about whether reviewers should give authors 1 star reviews for their books. I can imagine this topic will cause some divide and a mix of opinions and that’s great – as long as we all respect each others’ individual opinion! Yu can also find information of M.L Sparrows book at the bottom of the post!

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13 Reasons Why book & show comparison

Posted in Films & Television, Reviews, Young Adult by

If you saw my post last month on Why ’13 Reasons Why’ is f***cking important and you should go and watch it now you may have guessed that I really f**ing liked that show, thought it was hella important and felt the need to write an entire blog post about it. I had heard of the book, in fact I had it on my to-read list on Goodreads for a good few years. I thought to concept sounded unique and intriguing but I just never got around to getting myself a copy. When three’s so many good books out, it’s  easy for others to get overlooked and pushed to the back of your priorities.

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Book Review: Alice and the Fly by James Rice

Posted in Fiction, Reviews, Young Adult by

Format: Paperback, won in a giveaway
Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Goodreads
Blurb: This is a book about phobias and obsessions, isolation and dark corners. It’s about families, friendships, and carefully preserved secrets. But above everything else it’s about love. Finding love – in any of its forms – and nurturing it.

Miss Hayes has a new theory. She thinks my condition’s caused by some traumatic incident from my past I keep deep-rooted in my mind. As soon as I come clean I’ll flood out all these tears and it’ll all be ok and I won’t be scared of Them anymore. The truth is I can’t think of any single traumatic childhood incident to tell her. I mean, there are plenty of bad memories – Herb’s death, or the time I bit the hole in my tongue, or Finners Island, out on the boat with Sarah – but none of these are what caused the phobia. I’ve always had it. It’s Them. I’m just scared of Them. It’s that simple.

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Why 13 Reasons Why is f***ing important and you should go and watch it now 

Posted in Mental Health, Reviews by

The world has been taken by storm with the new season, “13 Reasons Why” which was released on Netflix earlier this month. Based on the book by Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why is about Hannah, who has committed suicide and has left behind tape recordings for her old friend, Clay, with the 13 reasons why she did it. In these tapes, she opens up to Clay about what was going on in her life, the people that have wronged her and the events which ultimately led up to her taking her own life. But it’s not all as it seems as these tapes have a far more profound effect on not just Clay but a whole group of kids from their school. Sounds good right? Sounds gripping and shocking? It is. It’s also the most important show I’ve ever watched in my life.

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Book Review: The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse 

Posted in Fantasy, Reviews, Young Adult by

27396942Format: Paperback, ARC
Links: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US
Blurb: Magic can do a lot – give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars. And… solve the budget crisis?

That’s what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home. However, Gwen doesn’t know this. She’s just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn’t know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out thought – and when she does, she’ll discover she’s in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.

She’ll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won’t be the only one. Peter Pan’s constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she’s going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight or eternal youth… or if she’s going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance. Continue reading →

Book Review: Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Posted in Fantasy, Reviews by

51fcpsx-g4lFormat: Paperback, Library
Links: Goodreads | Amazon UK
Blurb: One boy, one boat, one tiger . . .

After the tragic sinking of a cargo ship, a solitary lifeboat remains bobbing on the wild, blue Pacific. The only survivors from the wreck are a sixteen year-old boy named Pi, a hyena, a zebra (with a broken leg), a female orang-utan — and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. The scene is set for one of the most extraordinary and best-loved works of fiction in recent years. Continue reading →